JP7124556B2 - Programming support device, programming support method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a programming support device and a programming support method that support program creation in a programming language. The present invention also relates to a program for causing a computer to execute such a programming support method.

Conventionally, as this type of programming support device, when a program creator creates a program using a certain programming language on a computer, on the display screen of the computer, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-132210 No. 2003-100002), which displays a map information table. The map information table of the document contains reference names (symbols, tag names) referenced by the program, actual physical memory corresponding to the reference names, physical I/O ports, and addresses (channel numbers) on the network shared memory. ) are associated with each other.

A program creator writes a setting value for a physical I/O port corresponding to a certain symbol name, for example, with this map information table displayed on the display screen. Then, after that, overwriting of the setting value to that physical I/O port is prohibited, and erroneous writing to that physical I/O port is prevented (however, a special operation to release the overwrite prohibition is performed, the setting value can be written again.) A program creator creates a program while appropriately referring to the map information table in which the setting values are written in this way.

JP-A-2000-132210

However, in conventional programming support devices, there is a problem that the function of prohibiting overwriting of set values to physical I/O ports extends only to program creation in the programming language.

For example, in recent years, a system has been developed that integrates a programmable logic controller (PLC) engine that executes a sequence control program and a motion controller (MC) engine that executes a robot control program and controls the robot. This system includes a plurality of physical I/O ports, and the setting values set in these physical I/O ports are referenced by programs that drive sensors, motors, robots, and the like.

Traditionally, a ladder language is often used to create sequence control programs. On the other hand, C language, C++, or a program language unique to each company is often used to create a robot control program. If the programming languages are different, different program creators are generally in charge of creating the respective programs from the viewpoint of proficiency and work efficiency.

Therefore, there is a possibility that each program creator may mistakenly write setting values to the same physical I/O port at the stage of creating the sequence control program and the stage of creating the robot control program. The written setting value will be overwritten by the setting value written later.) In that case, the setting value of the physical I/O port will be in a state not intended by the program creator who previously wrote the setting value.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a programming support apparatus and a programming support method that can apply the function of prohibiting overwriting of setting values to device ports to program creation in a plurality of different programming languages. Another object of the present invention is to provide a program for causing a computer to execute such a programming support method.

In order to solve the above problems, the programming support device of this disclosure includes:
A programming support device for supporting program creation in a plurality of programming languages for a system including a plurality of device ports, each device port being referenced by a plurality of programming languages during operation , comprising :
When the program is created in the plurality of programming languages, on the display screen, a reference name field representing each of the plurality of device ports and whether each device port is a port for writing during operation of the system, or a display processing unit that associates a read/write column indicating whether the port is for reading and a setting value column for each device port and displays a list as a map information table;
The setting value column is divided into a first setting value column for the first program and a second setting value column for the second program,
a write determination unit that determines whether or not a setting value has been written to the first setting value column for each of the device ports with respect to the first program in the first programming language;
With respect to the first program in the first programming language, with respect to the device port for which it is determined that the setting value has been written to the first setting value column, the device port is referred to the read/write column. is a port for writing during the operation of the system, prohibiting the writing of the setting value to the second setting value field with respect to the second program in the second programming language different from the first programming language On the other hand, when the device port is a port for reading during the operation of the system, writing of the setting value to the second setting value field is permitted with respect to the second program in the second program language. and an overwrite prohibition section.

As used herein, the term "device port" broadly refers to a port, such as a physical I/O (input/output interface) port, to which setting values to be referenced during program execution are written or written.

Also, the setting value can be written in the setting value column by inputting via an operation unit such as a keyboard or a mouse.

In a system using a program created by the programming support device of this disclosure, each device port included in the system is expected to be referenced by a plurality of programming languages during system operation. In the programming support device disclosed in this disclosure, when a program is created in the plurality of programming languages, the display processing unit displays on the display screen a reference name column representing each of the plurality of device ports, and the name of each device port. A read/write column indicating whether the port is for writing or reading during the operation of the system is associated with the setting value column for each device port, and displayed as a map information table. do. The set value column is divided into a first set value column for the first program and a second set value column for the second program. The write determination unit determines whether or not a setting value has been written to the first setting value field for each device port with respect to the first program in the first programming language. The overwrite prohibition unit refers to the read/write column for the device port for which the setting value is determined to be written in the first setting value column with respect to the first program in the first programming language. Then, when the device port is a port for writing during the operation of the system, the setting in the second set value field with respect to the second program in the second program language different from the first program language is performed. While prohibiting the writing of values, when the device port is a port for reading during the operation of the system, a set value in the second set value column with respect to the second program in the second program language writes are allowed . Therefore, regarding the first program written in the first programming language, the program creator writes the Regarding the second program, there is no possibility of mistakenly writing (overwriting) the setting values in the first setting value column. In other words, according to this programming support device, the function of prohibiting overwriting of setting values for device ports can be applied to program creation in a plurality of different programming languages. Therefore, the program creator who creates each program can create the program while appropriately referring to the map information table in which the setting values are appropriately written in this way. As a result, the setting values for the plurality of device ports are in the state intended by each program creator. As a result, during operation of the system, both the first program in the first programming language and the second program in the second programming language can refer to and effectively use each device port.

Further, in this programming support device, the program creator who creates the first program written in the first programming language writes the setting values in the first setting value column. On the other hand, regarding the second program in the second programming language, if the program creator who creates the program is allowed (if not prohibited by the overwrite prohibition section), the second setting value column Write the setting value. Therefore, even if different program creators are in charge of creating the first and second programs, each program creator does not hesitate about which field to write the setting values into.

In one embodiment, the programming support device is characterized in that the display processing unit displays a write-disabled display indicating that writing is disabled in the second setting value column in which writing of the setting value is prohibited. .

In the programming support device of this embodiment, the display processing unit displays a write-disabled display indicating that writing is disabled in the second setting value column of the device port for which writing of the setting value is prohibited. Therefore, the program creator who sees the display indicating that writing of the setting value is prohibited does not wastefully attempt to write the setting value to the second setting value column, in which writing of the setting value is prohibited.

In one embodiment of the programming support device, the map information table further includes a data type column indicating the data type of the setting value to be written for each device port.

In the programming support device of this embodiment, the data type column of the map information table indicates the data type of the set value to be written to each device port. Therefore, the data type of the setting value to be written by each program creator is not mistaken.

In one embodiment of the programming support device,
a data type determination unit that determines whether the data type indicated in the data type column for each device port can be used for writing the setting value for each program;
The display processing unit displays, for each device port, a write-disabled display indicating that writing is disabled in the setting value column for the program for which the data type is determined to be unusable for writing the setting value. A programming support device characterized by performing

In the programming support device of this embodiment, the data type determination unit determines whether the data type shown in the data type column for each device port can be used for writing the setting value for each program. to judge. The display processing unit displays, for each device port, a write-disabled display indicating that writing is disabled in the setting value column for the program for which the data type is determined to be unusable for writing the setting value. I do. Therefore, the program creator who sees the write impossibility display will wastefully attempt to write the setting value to the setting value field for the program for which the data type is determined to be unusable for writing the setting value. There is no

In another aspect, the programming assistance method of this disclosure comprises:
A programming support method for supporting programming in multiple programming languages for a system including multiple device ports, wherein each device port is referenced by multiple programming languages during operation, the method comprising: ,
When the program is created in the plurality of programming languages, on the display screen, a reference name field representing each of the plurality of device ports and whether each device port is a port for writing during operation of the system, or a step of displaying a list as a map information table in association with a read/write column indicating whether it is a read port and a setting value column for each of the device ports;
The setting value column is divided into a first setting value column for the first program and a second setting value column for the second program,
determining whether or not a setting value has been written to the first setting value column for each of the device ports with respect to the first program in the first programming language;
With respect to the first program in the first programming language, with respect to the device port for which it is determined that the setting value has been written to the first setting value column, the device port is referred to the read/write column. is a port for writing during the operation of the system, the setting value in the second setting value column for the second program in the second programming language different from the first programming language While prohibiting writing, when it is determined that the device port is a port for reading during the operation of the system, the second program in the second program language is set in the second set value field. Steps that allow writing values and
characterized by having

According to the programming support method disclosed in this disclosure, the function of prohibiting overwriting of setting values for device ports can be applied to program creation in a plurality of mutually different programming languages. Therefore, the program creator who creates each program can create the program while appropriately referring to the map information table in which the setting values are appropriately written in this way. As a result, the setting values for the plurality of device ports are in the state intended by each program creator. As a result, during operation of the system, both the first program in the first programming language and the second program in the second programming language can refer to and effectively use each device port.

In still another aspect, a program disclosed herein is a program for causing a computer to execute the programming support method.

The programming support method can be implemented by causing a computer to execute the program of this disclosure.

As is clear from the above, according to the programming support device and programming support method of the present disclosure, the function of prohibiting overwriting of setting values to device ports can be applied to program creation in a plurality of mutually different programming languages. Also, according to the program disclosed in this disclosure, it is possible to cause a computer to execute such a programming support method.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic block configuration of a system to which a programming support device according to one embodiment of the invention is applied; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a block configuration of a personal computer (PC) forming the programming support device; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a group of I/O ports included in a second unit (model number “NX-eeee”) forming part of the system; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of initial display processing for displaying a map information table first on the display screen of the programming support device; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for writing device variables in the "Variable" column of the map information table with respect to a first program (sequence control program) in a first program language (ladder language) by the programming support device; With the programming support device, digital I/O is entered in the "Digital I/O" column of the map information table with respect to the second program (robot control program) in the second program language (language independently developed by the applicant). FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for writing setting values; It is a figure which illustrates the map information table displayed by initial display processing on the display screen of the said programming support apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state before setting values are written to the map information table; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state after setting values are written to the map information table;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block configuration of a system 400 to which a programming support device according to one embodiment of the invention is applied. This system 400 is broadly divided into a personal computer (PC) 10 as a programming support device, a programmable logic controller (PLC) 100 communicably connected to the PC 10 via a communication cable 19, and a communication cable to the PLC 100. 119, and a device group 200 connected so as to be able to communicate (in this example, EtherCAT (registered trademark) communication).

In this example, the device group 200 includes a first node 201 (reference name “Node1”, model number “GX-aaaa”), a second node 202 (reference name “Node2”, model number “GX-bbbb”), 3 nodes 203 (reference name “Node3”, model number “NX-cccc”) and a first unit 204 (reference name "Unit1", model number "NX-dddd") and a second unit 205 (reference name "Unit2", model number "NX-eeee"). These devices 201 to 205 each include a plurality of physical I/O ports (hereinafter simply referred to as "I/O ports") as device ports. The set values set in those I/O ports are referenced by programs that drive sensors, motors, robots, etc. (not shown).

For example, the second unit 205 (model number “NX-eeee”) includes six I/O ports 211 to 216 as an I/O port group 206, as shown in FIG. These I/O ports 211-216 have the reference names "Output Bit 00", "Output Bit 00 Time Stamp", "Output Bit 00 Output Status", "Output Bit 01" and "Output Bit 01 Time Stamp" respectively. , and “Output Bit 01 Output Status”. In this example, the setting values set in these I/O ports 211 to 216 are referenced by a program that drives a robot (not shown).

PLC 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes control unit 101 , map information storage unit 102 , sequence control program storage unit 103 , and robot control program storage unit 104 .

The map information storage unit 102 associates reference names corresponding to a plurality of I/O ports included in the system 400 with setting values for each I/O port, and maps data between those I/O ports. is stored as a map information table including the hierarchical structure of (described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9). As a result, the map information table includes a hierarchical structure among a plurality of I/O ports as a configuration list of the EtherCAT (registered trademark) network.

The sequence control program storage unit 103 shown in FIG. 1 stores a first program (sequence control program in this example) in a first program language (ladder language LD in this example).

The robot control program storage unit 104 stores a second program (robot control program in this example) in a second program language (in this example, a language originally developed by the applicant).

During operation, the control unit 101 refers to the map information table stored in the map information storage unit 102 in accordance with the "sequence control program" stored in the sequence control program storage unit 103. For example, the controller 101 is connected to the PLC 100 itself. control sensors, motors, etc. At the same time, the control unit 101 refers to the map information table 300 stored in the map information storage unit 102 in accordance with the "robot control program" stored in the robot control program storage unit 104, for example, the above-described first 2 unit 205 through I/O ports 211 to 216 to control the motion of the robot. In this way, the PLC 100 performs a control operation that integrates the sequence control by the sequence control program and the robot control by the robot control program.

In this example, the PC 10 shown in FIG. 1 mainly serves as a programming support device for a "sequence control program" stored in the sequence control program storage unit 103 and a "robot control program" stored in the robot control program storage unit 104. It is provided to support the creation of "programs."

In this example, the PC 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a display 12, an operation section 13, a storage section 14, and a communication section 16, as shown in FIG. there is

The CPU 11 operates by software (computer program), and executes processing according to a programming support method, which will be described later, and other various types of processing.

In this example, the display device 12 is made up of an LCD (liquid crystal display device) and displays images on the display screen in accordance with control signals from the CPU 11 . In this example, display 12 is used to display map information table 300 .

The operation unit 13, in this example, comprises a keyboard and a mouse, and is used to input instructions and data from the user (operator).

In this example, the storage unit 14 includes an EEPROM (electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory) that can store data non-temporarily, and a RAM (random access memory) that can store data temporarily. contains. Software (computer program) for controlling the CPU 11 is stored in the storage unit 14 . In this example, the storage unit 14 also stores the contents of the map information table described above. The contents of this memory will be described in detail later.

The communication unit 16 is controlled by the CPU 11 to transmit predetermined information to an external device, or receive information from an external device and pass it to the CPU 11 . In this example, the communication section 16 works to communicate with the PLC 100 via the communication cable 19 .

4 to 6 show the processing flow of the programming support method executed by the CPU 11 of the PC 10 to support the creation of the "sequence control program" and "robot control program" described above.

(Initial display processing)
In the initial display process shown in FIG. 4, first, as shown in step S1, the CPU 11 functions as a display processing unit to display the top of the map information table 300 (as shown in FIG. 7) on the display screen of the display 12. In addition to displaying the contents of the map information table (configuration list) from the map information storage unit 102 of the PLC 100, as shown in step S2, Expand and view hierarchical structures.

As shown in FIG. 7, the map information table 300 includes, from left to right, a "Position" column 301 indicating the position of each device in the system 400, and a "Port" column 302 as a reference name column indicating each reference name. , a “Description” column 303 indicating a description corresponding to each reference name, and a read/write column indicating whether the setting value of each port is “W” for writing or “R” for reading when the PLC 100 operates. a "R/W" column 304 as a data type, a "Data Type" column 305 as a data type column indicating the data type of the set value to be written for each port, and a first column to which device variables are to be written with respect to the sequence control program. A "Variable" column 306 as a setting value column, a "Variable Type" column 307 in which the type of the device variable is to be written, and a second setting value column in which the digital I/O setting value for the robot control program is to be written. and a "Digital I/O" column 308 of .

The "Position" column 301 and the "Port" column 302 described above represent the hierarchical structure of the devices included in the system 400 in the EtherCAT (registered trademark) network. In this example, the uppermost cell 310 of the "Port" column 302 displays "EtherCAT Network Configuration" indicating the configuration of the EtherCAT (registered trademark) network. Below that, cells 311, 312, and 313 of the "Position" column 301 are in order from top to bottom: the reference name "Node1" of the first node 201, the reference name "Node2" of the second node 202, the third The reference name "Node3" of the node 203 is displayed. Corresponding to these cells 311, 312, and 313, the model number of each node "GX-aaaa", "GX-bbbb", and "NX-cccc" is displayed in the "Port" column 302. FIG. Furthermore, below it, the reference name "Unit1" of the first unit 204 and the reference name "Unit2" of the second unit 205 are displayed in order from top to bottom in cells 314 and 315 of the "Position" column 301. ing. Corresponding to these cells 314 and 315, the model numbers "NX-dddd" and "NX-eeee" of the respective units are displayed in the "Port" column 302. FIG.

Furthermore, below that, cells 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, and 326 of the "Port" column 302 are included in the second unit 205 (model number "NX-eeee") in order from top to bottom. Reference names for I/O ports 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216 "Output Bit 00", "Output Bit 00 Time Stamp", "Output Bit 00 Output Status", "Output Bit 01", "Output Bit 01" "Time Stamp" and "Output Bit 01 Output Status" are displayed. As indicated by dashed line 390 in FIG. 7, this example focuses on I/O ports 211-216 included in second unit 205 (model number “NX-eeee”).

In this example, as shown in the "R/W" column 304, I/O port 211 (reference name "Output Bit 00"), I/O port 212 (reference name "Output Bit 00 Time Stamp"), I/O The setting values of the O port 214 (reference name “Output Bit 01”) and the I/O port 215 (reference name “Output Bit 01 Time Stamp”) are “W” for writing. On the other hand, the setting values of the I/O port 213 (reference name “Output Bit 00 Output Status”) and the I/O port 216 (reference name “Output Bit 01 Output Status”) are “R” for reading. ing.

In this example, as shown in the "Data Type" column 305, the I/O port 211 (reference name "Output Bit 00"), the I/O port 213 (reference name "Output Bit 00 Output Status"), I The data type of the /O port 214 (reference name “Output Bit 01”) and the I/O port 216 (reference name “Output Bit 01 Output Status”) are both BOOL types. On the other hand, the data type of the I/O port 212 (reference name “Output Bit 00 Time Stamp”) and the I/O port 215 (reference name “Output Bit 01 Time Stamp”) are ULINT types. Here, the BOOL type refers to a data type that takes two truth values of “true=true” and “false=false”. The BOOL type can be used for both sequence control programs and robot control programs. The ULINT type refers to a data type that takes an unsigned 64-bit integer value. The ULINT type can be used for sequence control programs, but cannot be used for robot control programs. Thus, in this map information table 300, the data type of the setting value to be written to each of the I/O ports 211-216 is shown in the "Data Type" column 305. FIG. Therefore, the data type of the setting value to be written by each program creator is not mistaken.

Next, proceeding to step S3 in FIG. 4, the CPU 11 acts as a data type determination unit, and in this example, the data types of the I/O ports 211 to 216 of the second unit 205 (model number "NX-eeee") are Determine whether it is of BOOL type. That is, in effect, it determines whether the data type of each I/O port 211-216 can be used to write setting values for each program.

Here, as described above, I/O port 211 (reference name “Output Bit 00”), I/O port 213 (reference name “Output Bit 00 Output Status”), I/O port 214 (reference name “Output Bit 01”) and the I/O port 216 (reference name “Output Bit 01 Output Status”) are of the BOOL type (YES in step S3). It is determined that it can be used both for writing device variables and for writing digital I/O setting values to the “Digital I/O” column 308 . Then, in step S4 of FIG. 4, the CPU 11 acts as a display processing unit, and for those I/O ports 211, 213, 214, and 216, corresponding cells 331, 333, 334, 336, corresponding cells 341, 343, 344, 346 in the "Variable Type" column 307, and corresponding cells 351, 353, 354, 356 in the "Digital I/O" column 308, respectively. A writable indication is displayed to indicate that it is possible. 341, 343, 344, 346; 351, 353, 354, 356 as shown in FIG. Equivalent to making

On the other hand, since the data type of the I/O port 212 (reference name “Output Bit 00 Time Stamp”) and the I/O port 215 (reference name “Output Bit 01 Time Stamp”) are each ULINT type (step NO in S3), the CPU 11 can be used to write device variables to the "Variable" column 306, but cannot be used to write digital I/O setting values to the "Digital I/O" column 308. to decide. Then, in step S5 of FIG. 4, the CPU 11 acts as a display processing unit, and for those I/O ports 212 and 215, corresponding cells 332 and 335 of the "Variable" column 306 in FIG. ' column 307 indicate that they are writable, while the corresponding cells 352 and 355 of the 'Digital I/O' column 308 are write-disabled. A non-writable display is displayed. In this example, this non-writable indication corresponds to making those cells 352 and 355 dark (meaning a color darker than the white or bright color), as shown in FIG. Note that the indication of write impossibility is not limited to this form of display, and may be another form of display such as, for example, adding oblique ruled lines to each cell (the same shall apply hereinafter). In other words, it is sufficient for the user to be able to intuitively recognize that writing is impossible when viewing the indication that writing is impossible.

The CPU 11 thus completes the initial display process (FIG. 4). In this example, the map information table 300 created by the initial display process is stored in the storage unit 14 of the PC 10 and also stored in the map information storage unit 102 of the PLC 100 . This map information table 300 is used for write processing of device variables to the "Variable" column 306 (FIG. 5) and/or write processing of digital I/O setting values to the "Digital I/O" column 308, which will be described below. (FIG. 6).

Here, in the map information table 300 shown in FIG. 7, each cell of the "Variable" column 306, the "Variable Type" column 307, and the "Digital I/O" column 308 is displayed as writable or unwritable. ing. Therefore, the program creator can visually and intuitively know whether or not the setting value can be written to each cell of the "Variable" column 306 and the "Digital I/O" column 308 . Therefore, the program creator who sees the write impossibility display should read the setting value field for the program for which the above data type cannot be used for writing the above setting value (in the above example, the There is no needless attempt to write setting values to the cells 352, 355).

In the map information table 300 described above, the set value column is divided into a "Variable" column 306 for the sequence control program and a "Digital I/O" column 308 for the robot control program. Therefore, regarding the sequence control program in the ladder language LD, the program creator who creates the program is urged to write the device variables in the “Variable” column 306 . On the other hand, regarding the robot control program in its own language, the program creator who creates the program is prompted to write the digital I/O setting values in the "Digital I/O" column 308, if permitted. . Therefore, even if different program creators are in charge of creating the sequence control program and the robot control program, each program creator does not get lost in which field to write the setting value.

(Device variable write processing)
In the device variable writing process shown in FIG. 5, first, as shown in step S11, the CPU 11 functions as a display processing unit, and in this example, the map information table 300 shown in FIG. , the same as those shown in FIG. 7) and displayed on the display screen of the display 12. FIG. Note that the contents of the map information table (configuration list) may be read out from the map information storage unit 102 of the PLC 100 and, if updated, the map information table 300 may be updated and displayed.

Next, the user enters the device variable "N2_Output_Bit_00" into the corresponding cell 331 of the "Variable" column 306 for the I/O port 211 (reference name "Output Bit 00") for the sequence control program via the operation unit 13. ” is entered, and the device variable type “Global Variables” is entered in the corresponding cell 341 of the “Variable Type” column 307 . Then, in step S12 of FIG. 5, the CPU 11 acts as a write determination unit, determines that the set value has been written to the I/O port 211 as shown in FIG. 331, the device variable "N2_Output_Bit_00" is written and displayed. Along with this, the CPU 11 writes and displays the device variable type “Global Variables” in the cell 341 of the “Variable Type” column 307 .

Next, at step S13 in FIG. 5, the CPU 11 refers to the "R/W" column 304 shown in FIG. 9 to determine whether the I/O port 211 is a writing port. In this example, since the I/O port 211 is a write "W" port (YES in step S13), the CPU 11 acts as an overwrite protection unit in step S14 of FIG. , in this example, writing of the set value to the corresponding cell 351 of the "Digital I/O" column 308 is prohibited. Along with this, the CPU 11 acts as a display processing unit, and displays in the cell 351 of the "Digital I/O" column 308 that writing of the digital I/O setting value is impossible. In this example, this non-writable indication corresponds to darkening the cell 351 as indicated by dashed line 391 in FIG. (see color comparison).

Therefore, the program creator who sees the write impossibility display writes the setting value to the setting value column (in the above example, the cell 351 of the "Digital I/O" column 308) in which writing of the setting value is prohibited. There is no useless attempt to

In step S12 of FIG. 5, if the cells to which the set values are written are the cells 333 and 343 corresponding to the I/O port 213 (reference name "Output Bit 00 Output Status"), the I/O Since the port 213 is the reading " R " port (NO in step S13), the CPU 11, as shown in FIG. It permits the writing of the set value to the cell 353 that Therefore, it becomes possible to write set values for the robot control program in the cell 353 . In this example, a value of 4010 is written in cell 353, as shown in FIG.

(Write processing of digital I/O setting values)
In the process of writing the digital I/O setting values shown in FIG. 6, first, as shown in step S21, the CPU 11 functions as a display processing unit, and in this example, the map information table 300 shown in FIG. (in this example, the same as that shown in FIG. 7) is read out and displayed on the display screen of the display 12 . 5, the contents of the map information table (configuration list) are read from the map information storage unit 102 of the PLC 100, and if it has been updated, the map information table 300 is updated. May be updated and displayed.

Next, the user inputs a digital I/O to the cell 354 of the “Digital I/O” column 308 for the robot control program, for example, the I/O port 214 (reference name “Output Bit 01”) via the operation unit 13 . It is assumed that the O setting value (the value of 4009 in this example) is input. Then, in step S22 of FIG. 5, the CPU 11 acts as a write determination unit, and as shown in FIG. 4009) is written and displayed.

Next, at step S23 in FIG. 6, the CPU 11 refers to the "R/W" column 304 shown in FIG. 9 to determine whether the I/O port 214 is a writing port. In this example, since the I/O port 214 is a write "W" port (YES in step S23), the CPU 11 acts as an overwrite protection unit in step S24 of FIG. In this example, writing of set values to the corresponding cell 334 of the "Variable" column 306 and the corresponding cell 344 of the "Variable Type" column 307 is prohibited. Along with this, the CPU 11 acts as a display processing unit, and displays a write-impossible display in the cell 334 of the "Variable" column 306 and the cell 344 of the "Variable Type" column 307 to indicate that writing is not possible. In this example, their unwritable indication corresponds to darkening those cells 334, 344, as indicated by the dashed line 392 in FIG. (compare with the white or light color of .).

Therefore, the program creator who sees the write-impossible indication writes the set value to the set value column (the cells 334 and 344 of the "Variable" column 306 in the above example) in which writing of the set value is prohibited. No wasted attempts.

In addition, in step S22 of FIG. 6, if the cell to which the setting value is written is, for example, the cell 353 corresponding to the I/O port 213 (reference name “Output Bit 00 Output Status”), the I/O port 213 is the reading " R " port (NO in step S23), as shown in FIG. , to write the set value to the corresponding cell 344 of the “Variable Type” column 307 . Therefore, setting values for the sequence control program can be written to these cells 334 and 344 . In this example, as shown in FIG. 9, the cell 333 is written with the device variable "N2_Output_Bit_00." Along with this, the device variable type “Global Variables” is written in the cell 333 .

In this manner, according to this programming support method, the function of prohibiting overwriting of set values for device ports can be applied to program creation in a plurality of different programming languages. Therefore, the program creator who creates each program can create the program while appropriately referring to the map information table 300 in which the setting values are appropriately written in this way. As a result, the setting values for the plurality of device ports are in the state intended by each program creator.

5 (the cell 351 of the "Digital I/O" column 308 shown in FIG. 9), and writes the set value in step S24 of FIG. The user's instruction via the operation unit 13 (write-inhibited) in the write-protected setting value column (the cell 334 of the "Variable" column 306 and the cell 344 of the "Variable Type" column 307 shown in FIG. 9). If there is a release instruction), the write prohibition of the set value may be released to eliminate the write impossibility display. As a result, the user's convenience can be achieved according to the situation of program creation.

In the above-described embodiment, the first programming language is the ladder language LD and the second programming language is the language independently developed by the applicant, but the invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be widely applied to a plurality of different programming languages.

The above-described programming support method is recorded as software (computer program) in a recording medium capable of non-transitory data storage such as CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), non-volatile memory, etc. You may By installing the software recorded in such a recording medium in substantial computer devices such as personal computers and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), these computer devices are caused to execute the above-described programming support method. be able to.

The above embodiments are examples, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Although each of the above-described multiple embodiments can be established independently, combinations of the embodiments are also possible. Also, various features in different embodiments can be established independently, but combinations of features in different embodiments are also possible.

10 PCs
11 CPUs
100PLC
200 devices 211-216 I/O ports

Claims (6)

A programming support device for supporting program creation in a plurality of programming languages for a system including a plurality of device ports, each device port being referenced by a plurality of programming languages during operation , comprising :
When the program is created in the plurality of programming languages, on the display screen, a reference name field representing each of the plurality of device ports and whether each device port is a port for writing during operation of the system, or a display processing unit that associates a read/write column indicating whether the port is for reading and a setting value column for each device port and displays a list as a map information table;
The setting value column is divided into a first setting value column for the first program and a second setting value column for the second program,
a write determination unit that determines whether or not a setting value has been written to the first setting value column for each of the device ports with respect to the first program in the first programming language;
With respect to the first program in the first programming language, with respect to the device port for which it is determined that the setting value has been written to the first setting value column, the device port is referred to the read/write column. is a port for writing during the operation of the system, prohibiting the writing of the setting value to the second setting value field with respect to the second program in the second programming language different from the first programming language On the other hand, when the device port is a port for reading during the operation of the system, writing of the setting value to the second setting value field is permitted with respect to the second program in the second program language. A programming support device, comprising: an overwrite prohibition section. In the programming support device according to claim 1 ,
The programming support device, wherein the display processing unit displays a write-disabled display indicating that writing is disabled in the second set-value column in which writing of the set-value is prohibited. The programming support device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The programming support device, wherein the map information table further includes a data type column indicating a data type of the set value to be written for each device port. In the programming support device according to claim 3 ,
a data type determination unit that determines whether the data type indicated in the data type column for each device port can be used for writing the setting value for each program;
The display processing unit displays, for each device port, a write-disabled display indicating that writing is disabled in the setting value column for the program for which the data type is determined to be unusable for writing the setting value. A programming support device characterized by performing A programming support method for supporting programming in multiple programming languages for a system including multiple device ports, wherein each device port is referenced by multiple programming languages during operation, the method comprising: ,
When the program is created in the plurality of programming languages, on the display screen, a reference name field representing each of the plurality of device ports and whether each device port is a port for writing during operation of the system, or a step of displaying a list as a map information table in association with a read/write column indicating whether it is a read port and a setting value column for each of the device ports;
The setting value column is divided into a first setting value column for the first program and a second setting value column for the second program,
determining whether or not a setting value has been written to the first setting value column for each of the device ports with respect to the first program in the first programming language;
With respect to the first program in the first programming language, with respect to the device port for which it is determined that the setting value has been written to the first setting value column, the device port is referred to the read/write column. is a port for writing during the operation of the system, the setting value in the second setting value column for the second program in the second programming language different from the first programming language While prohibiting writing, when it is determined that the device port is a port for reading during the operation of the system, the second program in the second program language is set in the second set value field. Steps that allow writing values and
A programming support method comprising: A program for causing a computer to execute the programming support method according to claim 5 .

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